Adapter for connecting a compressed gas operated dental instrument to a compressor

Abstract

The invention relates to an adapter for connecting a dental instrument to be operated with compressed gas to a compressor supplying the compressed gas, and to a control unit as well as a treatment unit comprising the adapter, wherein the adapter has at least one first input for the compressed gas of a compressor, a second input for a control signal, an output for connecting to the dental instrument, and a valve between the first input and output that is controllable by the control signal.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. An adapter for connecting a dental instrument to a compressor and to a control unit, comprising:
 a first input for compressed gas of a compressor; 
 a second input for a control signal from a control unit; 
 an output for connecting to a dental instrument; 
 a compressed gas path formed between the first input and the output; 
 a control signal path formed between the second input and the output; 
 a valve arranged in the compressed gas path that is controllable by the control signal; and 
 a generator arranged in the compressed gas path or in the control signal path, said generator configured to be controlled by the control signal to generate a voltage for transmission to the output, and 
 wherein the control signal is drive air or drive gas. 
 
     
     
       2. The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the second input is configured to convey a lamp voltage, spray air, spray water, and/or water to the output. 
     
     
       3. The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the second input is a coupling according to ISO 9168. 
     
     
       4. The adapter according to  claim 1 , further comprising: a pressure regulator and a filter which are disposed between the first input and the valve. 
     
     
       5. The adapter according to  claim 4 , further comprising: a unit configured to select and/or limit an output of the dental instrument by adjusting the pressure regulator. 
     
     
       6. The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the generator is a turbine. 
     
     
       7. The adapter according to  claim 1 , wherein the generator has current and/or voltage conditioning. 
     
     
       8. A dental treatment unit, comprising:
 a control unit; 
 a dental instrument constructed to operate by compressed gas; 
 a treatment chair; 
 a compressor; and 
 an adapter that includes:
 a first input connected to the compressor for receiving compressed gas from the compressor, 
 a second input connected to the control unit for receiving a control signal from the control unit, 
 an output connected to the dental instrument, 
 a compressed gas path formed between the first input and the output; 
 a control signal path formed between the second input and the output; 
 a valve arranged in the compressed gas path that is controllable by the control signal; and 
 a generator arranged in the compressed gas path or in the control signal path, said generator configured to be controlled by the control signal to generate a voltage for transmission to the output, and 
 
 wherein the control signal is drive air or drive gas. 
 
     
     
       9. The dental treatment unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the second input is configured to convey a lamp voltage, spray air, spray water, and/or water to the output. 
     
     
       10. The dental treatment unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the second input is a coupling according to ISO 9168. 
     
     
       11. The dental treatment unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the adapter further includes a pressure regulator and a filter which are disposed between the first input and the valve. 
     
     
       12. The dental treatment unit according to  claim 11 , wherein the adapter further includes a unit configured to select and/or limit an output of the dental instrument by adjusting the pressure regulator. 
     
     
       13. The dental treatment unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the generator is a turbine. 
     
     
       14. The dental treatment unit according to  claim 8 , wherein the generator has current and/or voltage conditioning.